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He Turned His Shop Into A Refuge For Stray Cats During The Worst Storm In Years.

Stray animals don't live an easy life.They walk down streets and alleyways every day in search of food and water to simply survive. So you can imagine how incredibly difficult their lives become when natural disasters occur. Unlike domesticated animals, these strays have no shelter to protect them. Thankfully, Good Samaritans like Selçuk Byayal exist.

Istanbul has recently experienced one of their worst snowstorms since 2009. Hundreds of flights were cancelled and about 65 centimeters of snow fell into parts of the city overnight. In addition to other local animal lovers, Byayal has been helping stray animals keep warm from the freezing cold.

Bayal, a local business owner, has transformed his small store into a temporary shelter for stray cats.

Selçuk Bayal

“We are human, and these creatures are entrusted to us by God,” Bayal told The Dodo. “We are responsible for looking after them.”

Selçuk Bayal

Bayal has been receiving a lot of praise from the local animal community for what he's done. However, at the same time customers have been criticizing him.

Selçuk Bayal

In response to all the hating customers, he placed a sign on his shop's window stating: “Those who are bothered by cats, do not shop here!”

Selçuk Bayal

Bayal likes to believe the cats he's taken in are "grateful" to him. He has, after all, provided a place for them to sleep and rest during this time in need.

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